You can enroll in the family and consumer sciences teacher certification program as a postgraduate, student-at-large, or graduate student. Most students will need to complete approximately 30 to 40 hours of coursework and this may take four or more semesters. The number of courses can vary widely depending on the courses that you have already completed. The teacher certification adviser can help you review your transcript and plan for the most efficient course taking pattern.
Yes. Other universities and community colleges offer courses that may be used to meet certification requirements. It is important to check in advance before taking a course to be certain that the course will meet program requirements. Many students complete general education deficiencies and some lower division courses in family and consumer sciences at a community college. However, community colleges do not generally offer upper division courses. A limited number of courses required in the program may also be offered at the NIU Hoffman Estates or Rockford educational centers for students classified as students-at-large or graduate students.
This information is available on the NIU website on the Transfer Center website.
Contact your Regional Office of Education and ask for a transcript evaluation, which will list the courses that you need to complete for an additional certification.
Submit the "Evaluation of Transfer Credit" Request Form for the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences. This form is also available in Wirtz Hall 118.
For general questions regarding teacher certification at Northern Illinois University, please view the Office of Initial Teacher Certification's website.